Rachel Barnhart
@rachbarnhart.com
Former journalist. Current Monroe County Legislator. Posts are personal views unless noted as official. Not allowed: threats, defamation, obscenity, harassment or spam. Rochester, N.Y.
There are so many insane things packed into this piece, it's hard to pull just one out. They're running the agency to serve themselves.
A Pilot Fired Over Kristi Noem’s Missing Blanket and the Constant Chaos Inside DHS
Secretary faces fire for confrontational immigration crackdown and self-promotional style; White House to wind down Minnesota operations.
www.wsj.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:01 PM
There are so many insane things packed into this piece, it's hard to pull just one out. They're running the agency to serve themselves.
I do think this was news because the longtime incumbent didn't get the nod. BUT, party endorsements don't mean a whole lot in Democratic primaries. Ask me how I know. ☺️
Three votes decided Brighton Democrats’ choice
The designation may give Nate Salzman an edge as he challenges Bill Moehle, a well-connected political giant who has been in office since the 1990s.
www.democratandchronicle.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:46 PM
I do think this was news because the longtime incumbent didn't get the nod. BUT, party endorsements don't mean a whole lot in Democratic primaries. Ask me how I know. ☺️
Couple days later, I'm still comfortable with my vote.
I've gone down the rabbit the hole of naming rights deals and 30 years is very unusual.
10-20 is standard.
Value of payments diminishes over time.
But my main reason remains - not enough time.
I've gone down the rabbit the hole of naming rights deals and 30 years is very unusual.
10-20 is standard.
Value of payments diminishes over time.
But my main reason remains - not enough time.
I was the only legislator to vote no for the following reasons:
- We had 6.5 hours to vet the legislation.
- We didn't see the deal, and the resolution was a blank check.
- 2% increases are below inflation and are a bad deal for taxpayers by the end. 1/
- We had 6.5 hours to vet the legislation.
- We didn't see the deal, and the resolution was a blank check.
- 2% increases are below inflation and are a bad deal for taxpayers by the end. 1/
February 12, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Couple days later, I'm still comfortable with my vote.
I've gone down the rabbit the hole of naming rights deals and 30 years is very unusual.
10-20 is standard.
Value of payments diminishes over time.
But my main reason remains - not enough time.
I've gone down the rabbit the hole of naming rights deals and 30 years is very unusual.
10-20 is standard.
Value of payments diminishes over time.
But my main reason remains - not enough time.
Millions of Americans don't have copies of their birth certificates or have a passport. They also don't have copiers to put IDs with their mail ballots.
Whatever you think of voter ID, this ain't the way.
Whatever you think of voter ID, this ain't the way.
House passes SAVE America Act, sending Trump-backed election bill to the Senate
The legislation would overhaul federal election laws in all 50 states by imposing new voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. But it faces a daunting path in the Senate.
www.nbcnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Millions of Americans don't have copies of their birth certificates or have a passport. They also don't have copiers to put IDs with their mail ballots.
Whatever you think of voter ID, this ain't the way.
Whatever you think of voter ID, this ain't the way.
Indeed.
The pressure to vote yes after positive announcements is enormous.
The pressure to vote yes after positive announcements is enormous.
February 11, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Indeed.
The pressure to vote yes after positive announcements is enormous.
The pressure to vote yes after positive announcements is enormous.
They do this regularly. ARPA announcements in fall of 2022 were the biggest ones - and the program had real problems we could have caught with proper diligence. I documented this in a paper I wrote in 2024.
February 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
They do this regularly. ARPA announcements in fall of 2022 were the biggest ones - and the program had real problems we could have caught with proper diligence. I documented this in a paper I wrote in 2024.
Before we even saw it!
February 11, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Before we even saw it!
Finally, everyone admits the Nationals and Red Wings may break up in 2031, and that could cause a very big problem.
The county denied to WXXI the naming rights hinge on AAA affiliation but admitted it voids the contract when I asked. 4/
The county denied to WXXI the naming rights hinge on AAA affiliation but admitted it voids the contract when I asked. 4/
New name for downtown baseball stadium: ESL Ballpark
ESL would pay Monroe County $550,000 per year in the first year of the contract, with a 2% increase each year.
www.wxxinews.org
February 11, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Finally, everyone admits the Nationals and Red Wings may break up in 2031, and that could cause a very big problem.
The county denied to WXXI the naming rights hinge on AAA affiliation but admitted it voids the contract when I asked. 4/
The county denied to WXXI the naming rights hinge on AAA affiliation but admitted it voids the contract when I asked. 4/
Blue Cross Arena offers a cautionary tale.
Excellus is paying what they paid in 1998.
Certainly the naming rights are worth more today. 3/
www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/l...
Excellus is paying what they paid in 1998.
Certainly the naming rights are worth more today. 3/
www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/l...
Blue Cross Arena naming rights secured through 2028
Terms of the agreement will remain unchanged from the original pact, authorized in June 1998.
www.democratandchronicle.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Blue Cross Arena offers a cautionary tale.
Excellus is paying what they paid in 1998.
Certainly the naming rights are worth more today. 3/
www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/l...
Excellus is paying what they paid in 1998.
Certainly the naming rights are worth more today. 3/
www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/l...
You can watch my floor speech in my Substack about this:
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/why-i-vote... 2/
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/why-i-vote... 2/
Why I Voted No on Stadium Naming Rights
We were given legislation 6.5 hours before the meeting.
rachbarnhart.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:44 PM
You can watch my floor speech in my Substack about this:
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/why-i-vote... 2/
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/why-i-vote... 2/
I was the only legislator to vote no for the following reasons:
- We had 6.5 hours to vet the legislation.
- We didn't see the deal, and the resolution was a blank check.
- 2% increases are below inflation and are a bad deal for taxpayers by the end. 1/
- We had 6.5 hours to vet the legislation.
- We didn't see the deal, and the resolution was a blank check.
- 2% increases are below inflation and are a bad deal for taxpayers by the end. 1/
February 11, 2026 at 1:44 PM
I was the only legislator to vote no for the following reasons:
- We had 6.5 hours to vet the legislation.
- We didn't see the deal, and the resolution was a blank check.
- 2% increases are below inflation and are a bad deal for taxpayers by the end. 1/
- We had 6.5 hours to vet the legislation.
- We didn't see the deal, and the resolution was a blank check.
- 2% increases are below inflation and are a bad deal for taxpayers by the end. 1/
Thank you, Reconnect Rochester, for raising important safety and accountability concerns.
Advocates call for a cautious approach to autonomous vehicles in New York
In her budget proposal for the next fiscal year, Gov. Kathy Hochul included language that would clear the way for autonomous vehicles outside of New York City.
www.wxxinews.org
February 11, 2026 at 4:38 AM
Thank you, Reconnect Rochester, for raising important safety and accountability concerns.
If I wasn’t out with a friend visiting from NYC who demanded artichokes French, which he can’t get there, I would be writing a Substack: Why I was the Only Legislator to Vote No on Stadium Naming Rights.
I think you’ll understand why. Early tomorrow morning.
I think you’ll understand why. Early tomorrow morning.
February 11, 2026 at 1:46 AM
If I wasn’t out with a friend visiting from NYC who demanded artichokes French, which he can’t get there, I would be writing a Substack: Why I was the Only Legislator to Vote No on Stadium Naming Rights.
I think you’ll understand why. Early tomorrow morning.
I think you’ll understand why. Early tomorrow morning.
The legislature is actually not voting on any deal that specifies terms with ESL. We are voting to trust the County Executive to do the deal they say they'll do. (I have more questions ... stay tuned.)
February 10, 2026 at 6:34 PM
The legislature is actually not voting on any deal that specifies terms with ESL. We are voting to trust the County Executive to do the deal they say they'll do. (I have more questions ... stay tuned.)
I tentatively agree.
The deal sounds a little too good. I have less than a day to review legislation for a potentially 30-year deal.
rbj.net/2026/02/10/e...
The deal sounds a little too good. I have less than a day to review legislation for a potentially 30-year deal.
rbj.net/2026/02/10/e...
February 10, 2026 at 6:10 PM
I tentatively agree.
The deal sounds a little too good. I have less than a day to review legislation for a potentially 30-year deal.
rbj.net/2026/02/10/e...
The deal sounds a little too good. I have less than a day to review legislation for a potentially 30-year deal.
rbj.net/2026/02/10/e...
I really appreciate President Melendez's focus on homelessness. I am not sure what new was added with the report, especially without social services involved.
Peace Village was supposed to be better. Three years later, it's in snow-covered storage
Completing the project is the top recommendation of an extensive report on homelessness released Monday by City Council President Miguel Meléndez.
www.wxxinews.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:43 PM
I really appreciate President Melendez's focus on homelessness. I am not sure what new was added with the report, especially without social services involved.
Slate of Dems endorsed by party.
Barz is Bello's spokesperson and attack dog, frequently misleading press & public.
Not sure what choice Irondequoit residents will have here, but he won't be any kind of independent rep.
Barz is Bello's spokesperson and attack dog, frequently misleading press & public.
Not sure what choice Irondequoit residents will have here, but he won't be any kind of independent rep.
February 9, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Slate of Dems endorsed by party.
Barz is Bello's spokesperson and attack dog, frequently misleading press & public.
Not sure what choice Irondequoit residents will have here, but he won't be any kind of independent rep.
Barz is Bello's spokesperson and attack dog, frequently misleading press & public.
Not sure what choice Irondequoit residents will have here, but he won't be any kind of independent rep.
Why wasn't Baxter included?
Also, Hochul's proposal is like the bare minimum and wouldn't impact much in Monroe County.
Also, Hochul's proposal is like the bare minimum and wouldn't impact much in Monroe County.
www.rochesterfirst.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Why wasn't Baxter included?
Also, Hochul's proposal is like the bare minimum and wouldn't impact much in Monroe County.
Also, Hochul's proposal is like the bare minimum and wouldn't impact much in Monroe County.
Legislators were just invited to the 10 a.m. presser.
PR > good governance
PR > good governance
Good news: The Red Wings have reached a long term deal for naming rights of the county-owned stadium.
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
February 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Legislators were just invited to the 10 a.m. presser.
PR > good governance
PR > good governance
LOL!! I’m told it’s a longtime local business… but of course we don’t get to know which one until the big reveal tomorrow.
February 9, 2026 at 5:01 PM
LOL!! I’m told it’s a longtime local business… but of course we don’t get to know which one until the big reveal tomorrow.
Reposted by Rachel Barnhart
Over the past three weeks, the "nightmare scenario" for November's midterms has grown more plausible www.vox.com/politics/478...
February 9, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Over the past three weeks, the "nightmare scenario" for November's midterms has grown more plausible www.vox.com/politics/478...
We'll have mere hours to review - all for PR purposes.
It's really disrespectful of legislators. 2/
It's really disrespectful of legislators. 2/
February 9, 2026 at 4:43 PM
We'll have mere hours to review - all for PR purposes.
It's really disrespectful of legislators. 2/
It's really disrespectful of legislators. 2/
Good news: The Red Wings have reached a long term deal for naming rights of the county-owned stadium.
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
February 9, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Good news: The Red Wings have reached a long term deal for naming rights of the county-owned stadium.
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
They’re putting menstruating women in diapers.
Former ICE Facility Worker 'saw people laying in feces' at Baltimore Detention Center
Whistleblower provides internal documents alleging severe overcrowding, mistreatment months before viral video sparked national outrage
www.wusa9.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:04 PM
They’re putting menstruating women in diapers.
“Moms told me that their kids had lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping on the facility’s hard metal bunk beds in rooms shared by at least a dozen other people, and were constantly sick.”
NEW: ProPublica went inside the detention center for immigrant families in Dilley, Texas.
Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of what comes next.
Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of what comes next.
The Kids Trump Sent to ICE’s Dilley Detention Center
ProPublica went inside the immigrant detention center for families in Dilley, Texas. Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of...
www.propublica.org
February 9, 2026 at 12:44 PM
“Moms told me that their kids had lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping on the facility’s hard metal bunk beds in rooms shared by at least a dozen other people, and were constantly sick.”